Where France and Germany Meet 3: October 2012 Road Scholar

 3. To Heidelberg on the MS Ste Odile

We boarded our riverboat, the MS Saint Odile on the evening of October 03 and travelled overnight down the Rhine and then up the Neckar. In the morning, after a hard night's travel, we woke up in the romantic German town of Heidelberg. 

The Heidelberg area has likely been occupied for tens of thousands of years. The Romans built a wooden bridge on stone pillars across the Neckar river and established a military camp here. Germanic people occupied the area after the Romans, and the modern university was founded in 1386. Martin Luther defended his "95 Theses" in Heidelberg near the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Years of religious conflict followed. Heidelberg was a centre of revolutionary activity in the 19th century. Fortunately, it escaped bombing in World War II. General George Patton died there in December 1945 following a car accident.

The ruins of Heidelberg Castle, 80 metres above the river, dominate the old town. Started in the 13th century, it is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles, and following years of warfare was restored and expanded several times. It is surrounded by a beautiful park, where the poet Goethe received inspiration. The castle was painted several times by the English artist Turner. Mark Twain wrote about Heidelberg Castle, and it became a haven for Romantics. The Broadway operetta "The Student Prince" was based there, and the 1954 film with Mario Lanza is etched in the memory of many Road Scholars!

(Note: The factual content of these postings was summoned from my memory of what Peter and the guides told us, and supplemented by my look at Wikipedia after we got home.)

Our river boat, the Ste Odile left Strasbourg on October 03 and was our home until October 9.

After a bus ride to the top of the mountain overlooking Heidelberg, our group met local guide Barbara.

The view of the old stone bridge (1788) from the castle ramparts was fascinating.

Barbara described the history of Heidelberg Castle and gardens to our group while looking over the whole town as well as the Castle.

Contrasting architectural styles were evident in both the ruins and the restored portions.

Barbara gave details about the lives of the princes and princesses, including Frederick V and his grand-daughter Liselotte.

The guard over the main gate resembles a good friend of mine.

The inner court revealed a wonderful contrast in architectural styles.

The locals claim that this is the largest wine barrel in the world, in a cellar of the castle.

An ancient Road Scholar tests the quality of the wine!

When we left the castle, we descended to the lower town on a funicular. This shot looks up the steps and rails.

In the old town, the streets are narrow and long.

The Church of the Holy Spirit is Late Gothic in style, and has been shared by Protestants and Catholics.

Everyone loved the chocolate shop.

I like to take photos of doorways. 

The German Baroque style is bright and refreshing!

The Manesse Codex is a beautifully illustrated book of Middle High German Minnesang poetry (14th century).

The University Library was beautiful.

At the end of the day, we boarded the Ste Odile and waved goodbye to Heidelberg.

We travelled up the Neckar and moored overnight in the medieval town Eberbach.

Queen Victoria's parents lived in Eberbach, and one rumour says that she was actually born there.

The evening sun was lovely when viewed from the sun deck of our river boat.